Classic Poem

To the Rev. Dr W ILLIAM H ARRIS , occasion'd by his excellent
Sermons, intitled Funeral Discourses.

Vain speculative Noise, and Party Flame,
Have long disgrac'd the peaceful Christian Name,
Enkindling Pride, Suspicion, Censure, Strife,
Ills, each destructive of the heavenly Life.
With pious Aim thy deeply studied Age
For future Times bequeaths th' instructive Page,
Where, on thy Friend's Mortality , are shown
Those Rules that best prepare us for our own.
What artful Choice we in thy Subjects find,
Themes to inform, delight, and awe the Mind!
Skill, Genius, Labour join the Work to form,
As Tillotson 's correct, as Sherlock 's warm.
A beauteous Contraste meets in each Discourse,
Apollos ' Grace, with Paul 's majestic Force.
Great Master of our Passions! Heav'n by you
Intends with Truth to charm our Reason too;
Thy Precepts various Gifts at once impart,
Of Pow'r to melt, convince, and mend the Heart.

O be this Verse a Tribute to thy Name,
Lov'd Father of my renovated Frame!
Whose heavenly Lore, successful to persuade,
My list'ning Youth thy willing Convert made;
Found me a guideless Wand'rer, left to stray,
And won me back to tread the Gospel Way .
Much strove thy Cares my Footsteps to restore,
Much won thy Counsels, thy Example more,
Thy Love that wide its Charity extends,
Thy Zeal disint'rested from private Ends,
The mild Demean thy gentle Words impart,
Thy plain Sincerity of guileless Heart ;
These be thy Praise, — be these my Pattern long,
Friend of my Life, and Fav'rer of my Song!
Cheerer of Woes my suff'ring Lot has known,
Gen'rous, to make my few, small Joys thy own.
Still may Heav'n spare Thee to increase their Store,
That Hope can only make them relish more.
Still want my fault'ring Steps thy guiding Cares,
Thy sage Instructions, and supporting Pray'rs.

Oh! may they lead me thro' Life's changing Road,
A journeying Pilgrim to the blest Abode;
There may our Meeting rapt'rous Views employ,
And thy sav'd Friend , appear thy crowning Joy!